MovieChat Forums > Hard Times (1975) Discussion > This Movie ROCKS

This Movie ROCKS

posted 20 years ago by persadie
26 replies | jump to latest

This is a kick @$$ movie that Van Damme should remake
if he wants to be taken seriously again.

The setting, is excellent, lots of mood,
Charles Bronson does a good job, he's in good physical shape,
makes it believable.

His opponent Street is phenomenal. Couldn't have found a better
actor.

James Coburn being a Bruce Lee student and a decent actor is was
sad and annoying to see him play this immature role.
They could have had him as a fellow fighter like in Roadhouse
with the old guy, or the way he was in Magnificent Seven.

Fight scenes were not bad, mind you that I prefer real martial artists
doing the fights like The Octagon rather than CGI and rope stuff
like Jet Li or the Matrix.
I prefer Power rangers over those kind of eye candy.

This movie is really not of my generation so its hard to say
what its like or similar titles to recomend.
The circle of Iron, Road House and Gladiator(the boxing movie) come to mind.

[–] jiujitsu77 19 years ago

your nuts kid. I love Van Damme, but no way.
this movie is a one of a kind.
if it wasn't for bronson, cobourn, and hill, action films would never be the same.
Is it not an actor's job to play different roles in contrast to their public persona? Maybe challenge themselves?
I do agree with you, however, about the octagon...screw the new matrix type fight scenes

[–] gordon3-1 19 years ago

I prefer Power rangers over those kind of eye candy.

Come again?

Anyway, yes, for the most part you are correct. This movie does indeed rock. However, I must repectfully disagree with your evaluation in regards to the fight scenes "not being bad", they were much more than that, they were GREAT fight scenes. Some of the most realistic I think that I've ever seen, if not THE most realistic I've ever seen. One can really learn a lot by watching this movie, perhaps even more so than any other martial arts movie you can name. That includes your Van Damme collection, although I must say that Wake Of Death was a pleasant suprise.

[–] Brett5150 19 years ago

This is one of my fave movies of all time, period.
Bronson was the king when it came to this sought of stuff and he used some credibility in his fight scenes. Not like Van Damne and Seagul did or do now. This was old school fighting and if this movie is re-made, it should be dealt with the same way and set in depression era. But I do not want, I repeat DO NOT WANT Van Damme or Vin Deisel taking on the role. If anyone could do it, it would be Thomas Jane.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] persadie 19 years ago

Oh man I can't stand it if Vin Diesel did this movie,
I'd be like NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Van Damme however I'd say yes.

as far as I'd prefer power rangers over Matrix type eye candy.

Power rangers had real martial artists and stunt people in those
crazy out fits, trust me, I can tell.

Matrix......... I was like what the heck is this crap (fight scenes)

I saw legs coming out when there is no way anatomically possible
for a leg to move like that when the upper body is in that position,
I saw lots of patti cake type hand movements, and I was like,
um, why is he blocking those shots, they wouldn't make contact anyway.
They were showing off too much like if it were an awesome fight scene
when the quality of the martial arts portrayed was just far too low.

I could't stand the fight scenese in it.

The choreography in Hard Times was well done, except for the
fight with Street when they did those weak looking push kicks off
the wall. I can tell they don't know how to put a snap in their kicks.
Other than that, very well done, very entertaining!

[–] koffeenkreame41-1 11 years ago

Back in the 90s, Van Damme would be PERFECT to play Bronson's role.
Nowadays, if not Van Damme, then Thomas Jane, The Punisher alone shows he'd be badass in the role.

"I am the ultimate badass, you do not wanna `*beep*` wit me!"- Hudson in Aliens.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] P-K-One 19 years ago

Maybe you are just making fun of it, but Van Damme did remake this movie in 1990. It is called Lionheart and the story is that Van Damme plays a guy who went to to Legion then heard of his brothers death, deserted and came back to New York to help his brothers widow. The only way for him to make money was in prizefights so he teamed up with some guy who did his business stuff, placed the bets, ...

The film is called Lionheart and is the best Van Damme film with bloodsport.

[–] Shut_Up_Lige 19 years ago

"This is a kick @$$ movie that Van Damme should remake
if he wants to be taken seriously again"

When was that?

Watch 'em Abe, I seen 'em do some things!

[–] rogerscorpion 18 years ago

Shut Up Lige: <When was that? >That would be "When was Van Damme EVER taken seriously?" That's hilarious! & true!
Van Damme is Belgian--not French.
Prob here in casting a remake, folks, is that you're suggesting People known for action---not acTING, to play the Bronson role--except Tom Jane--who IS an actor. Bronson was a great actor, tho you rarely saw it AFTER he became a star. He just happened to be very physically fit, too.
Coburn was my favorite actor, &, tho Speed was an unpleasant character, he turned in a wonderful performance.
Strother Martin was a delight, too, as Poe.
I LOVE this film & am sad that Walter Hill(the director) has lost his way over the years. Hill, for a few years, explored the same territory that Peckinpah ruled over--essaying stories of honor among tough guys.

Carpe Noctem

[–] fegerter 19 years ago

"This is a kick @$$ movie that Van Damme should remake
if he wants to be taken seriously again."

Again??? When did anyone ever take "The Muscles From Brussels" seriously? Besides he doesn't have the hard-boiled and world-weary thing down.

Bronson was 53 when he made "Hard Times".

[–] warpig-1 19 years ago

Van Damme's Wrong Bet aka Lionheart is a great movie (probably his best after Kickboxer and Bloodsport) and if you rent the DVD, they mention it's loosely based around Hard Times (it's in the special features section). Here's some similarities -

1) Both Bronson and Van Damme come to a new city, start off with no cash, and enter street fights to raise some funds.

2) Both men are trying to escape their past.

3) Both men "befriend" someone who acts like their manager, eventhough during both movies, Van Damme and Bronson claim to be their own boss and noone owns them.

4) Bronson beats all the locals so the competition hire the best outsider availabe ie The British Guy, Van Damme beats all the locals, so they hire the best overseas fighter available, The Turk.

5) Both men have "heart" and help their manager even when they messed up - eg Slick gambled all his winnings and said Bronson "you owe me", Van Dammes manager bet all the cash on the opponent

Black dude - "stay down man, I bet it all on the other guy"
VD - "wrong bet"

There's more, but I'm getting a little off topic. So you see, there's no real need to remake Hard Times with Van Damme as it's been done already.

[–] rogerscorpion 19 years ago

Prob is--Bronson was an Actor. Van Damme Isn't, wasn't & never will be.
Bronson wasn't an action star. He was a physically fit actor who could DO action.

Hard Times is one of my all-time fave films.

[–] ka_t_ia 18 years ago

Remake ? Vin Diesel ? Van Damme ? I think I´m gonna throw up !!!

[–] donottry30 18 years ago

I could see remaking this...but not with Van Damme. You need someone who can act as well as do action scenes.

If I were remaking the film...this would be my dream cast.

Chaney: Denzel Washington
Speed: Jackie Earle Haley
Lucy: Cate Blanchett
Poe: William Hurt

[–] carpener 18 years ago

Denzel ?!

[–] donottry30 18 years ago

Sure! He's about the right age...he could certainly work out into the physique...and plus it would be an added dimension since he would be obviously either an African-American or an immigrant.

[–] carpener 18 years ago

I respect your opinion , but in mine , no one could or can play that role except for CB. I don´t agree that much with the African-American part.

[–] red_ivan 18 years ago

I just watched Inside Man and think Denzel as Speed would be great. Still not sure who could pull of Chaney. Need someone grittier than Vin, van damme, or statham. hmmm - very good question indeed.

[–] warpig-1 18 years ago

so have u guys actually watched Wrong Bet (aka Lionheart). Or u just bagging Van Damme, cause he's a "frenchie". You're missing out on a good movie based on Hard Times, just cause Van Dammes in it.

If you loved Hard Times you will love Wrong Bet.

[–] carpener 18 years ago

" If you loved Hard Times you will love Wrong Bet. "

HOW CAN YOU EVEN COMPARE ?

" You're missing out on a (good movie???) based on Hard Times "

??????????

[–] warpig-1 18 years ago

theyre both great movies

[–] carpener 18 years ago

Yeahh ???????

[–] warpig-1 18 years ago

yawn

[–] fegerter 18 years ago

"If you loved Hard Times you will love Wrong Bet."

I love Hard Times. Wrong Bet AND Van Damme both stink on ice.

That's why he no longer has a career!

[–] paul-2397 17 years ago

This movie should never be remade. It is gigantic. What a show. Every scene is fantastic. This is a real movie. Bronson is one of the best ever. Cooler than any of these yo yo's out their now. "I knock people down" what more can you say

Anybody elese tired of these remakes? Enough already!!!!!